Book

A Quick-Study® Program

TEST READY SUPPORTS a thematic approach to reading, writing, and language arts

UTILIZES performance-based strategies

PROVIDES practice with a variety of reading genres

EQUIPS students with essential test-taking skills

REPLICATES real-life reading, writing, and language-arts experiences

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CURRICULUM ASSOCIATES , Inc. ®

6 ®

– OMNI – READING

F OR THE STUDENT TEST READY® OMNI Reading is a review program that provides practice in test-taking skills in reading, writing, and language arts. The program can be completed in ten days. Your teacher will provide you with directions for doing the lessons and recording the answers. Your teacher will also tell you when to begin work on each lesson part and when to stop. It is important that you read and follow all directions. When the directions tell you to STOP, go no further. Wait for your teacher to tell you what to do. While you work on the TEST READY OMNI Reading lessons, use the Testing Tips below. Read these helpful tips carefully. They can make you a better test taker. After the Pretest, Lessons 1 through 6, and the Practice Test, correct and discuss your responses with your teacher. Then record your results on the Student Performance Chart on the inside back cover of this book. Your teacher will show you how to determine percentages if you need help. You will not record results for Number 16 in Lessons 1, 2, 4, and 5, and Number 21 in Lessons 3 and 6, the Pretest, and the Practice Test. Your teacher will record the results on your Answer Form and on the Teacher Assessment Chart on the inside back cover of this book. Testing Tips for Answering Multiple-Choice Questions • Read each question carefully before you try to answer it. • Be sure you know what the question is asking you to do. • Cross out any answer choices that are not reasonable. Then make your choice from the remaining choices. • Read the question again. Make sure your answer makes sense. Testing Tips for All Other Questions • Read each question carefully before you try to answer it. • Be sure you know what the question is asking you to do. • Read the question again. Make sure your answer makes sense. • Write your answer clearly. Be sure your teacher will be able to read your work. • Proofread your work. Make any necessary corrections. This TEST READY OMNI Reading book was prepared for students by Deborah Adcock. Christopher Forest is a contributing author. Illustrated by Lisa Greenleaf. Cover by Pat Lucas.

1 TEST READY® OMNI Reading - Book 6—CURRICULUM ASSOCIATES®, Inc.—www.curriculumassociates.com—800-225-0248

L ESSON

1 3 Earth’s Mysteries

Everyone enjoys a good mystery, especially one that isn’t a work of fiction. The earth holds several mysteries that have yet to be solved. Now you are going to read about some unexplained mysteries that still baffle scientists. Directions: Here is an article about an ancient monument in England. Read the article. Then do Numbers 1 through 4. Stonehenge Stonehenge is an ancient stone monument built in southern England over 5,000 years ago. Some researchers believe that Stonehenge was built to help prehistoric people follow the stars. Others believe it was a center for religious activities or tribal gatherings. Stonehenge rests on a large plain and measures 97 feet across and 13.5 feet in height. Researchers estimate that it was built between 3000 B.C. and 1100 B.C. At that time, the wheel had not been invented. The only tools most likely available were levers, ramps, wooden rollers, and other tools made from animal bones. Researchers suspect that the monument was built in three stages. The first stage was the construction of the perfectly round earthen circle. The second stage began about 800 years later. That’s when 82 blue stones were erected inside the earthen circle. These stones formed two circles inside the larger one. Four stones, called sarsen stones, were also placed within the larger circle. The sarsen stones formed a rectangle. Nearly a century later, the third stage began. This final stage was the addition of 60 sarsen stones to complete a great circle. These large stones are the most recognizable part of Stonehenge. The elaborate measures taken to construct Stonehenge certainly suggest that it had an important purpose—but what? That is the mystery of Stonehenge.

1. The third stage of Stonehenge’s construction included A four stones that formed a rectangle B the addition of 60 giant sarsen stones C construction of a perfectly round earthen circle D 82 blue stones that formed two circles

2. There is enough information in the article to show that Stonehenge was A a center for religious activities B constructed with minimal effort C a tribal gathering center D built over a long period of time

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3. In which of these resources would you probably find photos and descriptions of Stonehenge?

A

B

C

D

4. Scientists believe that Stonehenge was probably built with the aid of a

A

wheel

B

C

ramp

pulley

D

crane

Directions: Here is an article about the mysteries of Easter Island. Read the article. Then do Numbers 5 through 10. Easter Island is located 2,000 miles west of South America. During the 1700s, Captain James Cook had heard the stories that sailors told of walking statues and strange natives that supposedly inhabited the island. He was determined to get to the bottom of these fanciful tales. Cook arrived on Easter Island on March 11, 1774. One of the first things he noticed was that the islanders had long earlobes that reached almost to their shoulders. The natives also resembled the enormous statues on the beach, most of which had been toppled from their platforms. Cook observed that the statues were carved out of volcanic rock. The statues had detailed faces and arms, but they had no legs. Each statue was topped with a cylinder of red stone that looked like a hat. Cook could not explain how the rock could be taken from the volcano and brought down to the beach. Each statue was almost 30 feet tall and could not be lifted. Cook turned to the natives for answers. The natives made gestures that seemed to indicate that the statues were the images of kings who once lived on the island and that the statues had walked from the volcano to their platforms on the beach. This still made no sense—how could 600 statues walk? Cook learned little more on his visit to the island. Since then, many theories about the statues and people on Easter Island have been proposed. Researchers believe that the red cylinders on the statues symbolized a red hairstyle worn by the kings. Researchers also believe that two groups of people once inhabited the island. One group was called “the long ears,” and the other group was called “the short ears.” It is rumored that a war between the two groups occurred and that many statues were toppled during the fighting. Many wooden tablets have also been found on the island. It is possible that these tablets hold the answers to the mysteries of Easter Island. However, until a translation of the pictographs on the tablets can be made, Easter Island will remain shrouded in mystery. Go on to next page Do not reproduce.

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8. The article says that Cook “was determined to get to the bottom of these fanciful tales.” This means that Cook wanted to A find out the cause of the sailors’ stories B prove that the stories were accurate C confirm that the stories were false D determine how Easter Island was formed

5. According to the natives, how were the statues brought from the volcano to their platforms? A The statues were hand-carried by 600 men. B The natives used ramps and rollers to move the statues. C The statues walked from the volcano to their platforms. D The statues were moved during a war between two groups of natives.

9. How might the islanders have communicated with gestures? A by cheering B by pointing C by dancing D by clapping

6. Researchers might be able to uncover the mystery of Easter Island if they can A figure out why the two native groups were at war B determine what the pictographs on the wooden tablets mean C excavate the lands around the statues D locate the writings of Captain Cook after he left the island

10. Find the word that best completes both sentences. The instructions say that you should take one ___________ before each meal. Scientists hope to decipher the language on the wooden ___________ .

7. The article was written in order to A express an opinion B predict an outcome C tell about a mystery D share an experience

A B C D

scroll capsule tablet dose

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Directions: For Numbers 11 and 12, find the sentence that is complete and is written correctly. 11. A

B C D

12. A

Will remain a mystery. The rocks on the volcano. All the stones were toppled. Arriving on the island.

B C D

Carved from rock. The natives having no way to communicate. Wooden tablets have been found. Details showing the faces of the kings.

Directions: Here is an article about a strange occurrence. Read the article. Then do Numbers 13 through 17. Large lines etched into the earth were first observed by pilots in 1928. These lines, in the dry plains of Peru, became known as the Nazca lines. The Nazca lines are best viewed from the sky, because they are 37 miles long and 1 mile wide. These lines form geometric figures and objects, including birds, spiders, and trees. Each figure is formed from an assortment of lines, some parallel and others intersecting. Who drew the Nazca lines—and why—is a mystery. Scientists believe that the lines were etched into the arid plain sometime between 100 B.C. and 600 A.D. They also believe that the lines were completed by using a grid system. Each square in the grid contained a part of the figure to be drawn. After each square of the grid was etched into the plain, the figure was complete. Scientists believe that only one of three native groups is responsible for the Nazca lines. The Paracas could have completed the lines between 900 B.C. and 200 B.C. The Nazcas may have etched them between 200 B.C. and 600 A.D. The final group that could have drawn the lines was settlers from Ayacucho. They arrived in Peru shortly after the Nazcas, in 630 A.D. However, like the lines themselves, their creators remain a mystery. Scientists have more than one theory as to why the lines were drawn. One explanation is that the lines were used as an astronomical calendar. The plain where the lines were etched may have been an observatory used to view the constellations. Another theory is that the lines were used as pathways to connect shrines. Perhaps, travelers followed the lines to a shrine where they could pray and meditate. But these are only theories. No one really knows exactly when or why the Nazca lines were etched into the Peruvian plains. 14. Based on the article, which of these statements is a fact? A The mystery of Nazca lines will never be solved. B Nazca lines were used as an astronomical calendar. C Nazca lines were first discovered in 1928. D Nazca lines are found throughout South America.

13. The article is mostly about A where Nazca lines can be found B why Nazca lines were created C who is responsible for making Nazca lines D what is known about Nazca lines

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16. Which of these expresses an opinion?

15. In the article, scientists have many theories about the Nazca lines. Theory means A correct answer based on facts B good guess based on limited information C decision reached after much thought D detailed plan for solving a problem

A Nazca lines appear to form B C D

geometric figures. Nazca lines are best viewed from the sky. Nazca lines are in the dry plains of Peru. Nazca lines are the most important discovery of the twentieth century.

17. The time line tells about some of the events discussed in the article. The Paracas inhabit Peru.

➡

➡

Settlers from Ayacucho arrive in Peru.

➡

Nazca lines are discovered.

Which of these belongs in the empty box?

A B C D

The The The The

Nazca Nazca Nazca Nazca

battle with the Paracas. lines are named. settle in Peru. are forced out of Peru.

Directions: After reading the article about Nazca lines, Janis wrote an article of her own. She has made some mistakes that need to be corrected. Read the first draft of Janis’s article. Then do Numbers 18 and 19. 1On

June 30, 1908, there was an explosion in the air above a region of Siberia called Tunguska. 2The gigantic blast caused an orange glow that was seen as far away as Europe and when scientists visited the spot years later, they found no crater. 3There are many theories about the cause of the blast. 4Scientists do not always agree on their theories. 5Most scientists think it might have been a comet or an asteroid that exploded as it fell through air. 19. Which sentence contains two complete thoughts and should be written as two sentences? A Sentence 1 C Sentence 3 B Sentence 2 D Sentence 4

18. Choose the best way to write Sentence 3. A There was many theories about the cause of the blast. B There will be many theories about the cause of the blast. C There is many theories about the cause of the blast. D Best as it is

20. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph? A Sentence 1 C Sentence 3 B Sentence 2 D Sentence 4 Go on to next page 14

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21. Finding and Correcting Mistakes Here is the first draft of a report that Taryn wrote. The report has six mistakes in capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. Draw a line through each part that has a mistake. Then write the correction above the mistake.

Ancient people often rely on an instrument known as the astrolabe. Astrolabes were used for hundreds of purpose. Each purpose was in some way related to the position of the sun and the stars, and the planets. astrolabes were used to tell time, determine seasons, or locate constellations. The astrolabe having been invented more than 2,000 years ago. It was in regular use until about 1650. A typical astrolabe was flat and round. Most astrolabes were made of brass. And were about 6 inches across. An astrolabe had moveable parts that could be rotated to correspond to such things as the time of day, the height of the sun, or the position of a star.

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